laugh and her large, deep violet eyes sparkled, and from their
changing expressions exhibited such variety of shade that one would
scarce venture to say which was the original one.

A deeper tinge now rested upon the purely oval cheek as the girl
returned the recognition of a thoughtful-looking young man who had
the air and manner of one possessed with more common sense than
generally falls to the lot of the young men courted by the _creme
de la creme_.

"Miss Verne, I see that you too are bent upon enjoying this glorious
evening; the old year is going out in all its serenity."

"Yes indeed, Mr. Lawson; the old year is dying with all the true
greatness that characterizes its life; it has left nothing undone,
and if we have failed to garner up its hours sacredly, to us--not
it--we lay the blame."

"True indeed; but how little do we think of those lessons until they
are beyond reach. We make grand resolutions on each New Year, but
how often do they go to the winds ere the first week has passed
around."

Phillip Lawson's words took an earnest tone and his manner was
earnest also. His rich, deep voice found its way far down in the
maiden's heart; but she would not allow herself to think so. She
would not acknowledge to herself that the restless emotions within
her heart were other than a passing thought to a very dear friend!
She must not see that Phillip Lawson, in his gifted, manly
character, was her hero of all that was good and true, and that his